I know at least this team, you can check in mile building. At the time they were doing Greece - Bahamas, the ARC, And a lot of independent legs of journeys if you whish to. This ones you pay for, in the site for the ARC, and, crew... seekers or crewfinders I guess, not shure now, you can offer yourself and find non paying (both sides) \ share costs positions. Some require allready some licenses, some don't!! Also try in findacrew.

]]>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:02:15 GMTHere is a point I try to bring up in this circumstance and mentioned recently in another thread. Once you have this ticket, any mistake that you make will no longer be viewed as a simple mistake, it will now carry with it potential criminal penalties. Once you have the ticket, you are held to all the standards of a professional mariner, so it would be wise if you understood what and why the "prudent mariner" thinks before you are held to that standard. As long as you don't have the ticket, you're a lot safer from a liability standpoint. While the employers may like to see you have that ticket, you have to remember to look out for your own self.

You have a good solid year's of working and learning to do before you are ready to execute the duties of that license, I suggest you at least get a feel for what is going on before you get the ticket. The powerboat ticket which makes you legal to run guests around on the tender, that would be useful.

]]>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:52:18 GMT]]>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 20:27:13 GMTWelcome!! You \ we'll allways take great advice from Capt. Henning! At least I do and take them in serious consideration, real experience, best advice . Thank you Henning

I only took my Coastal Skipper's ( the Portuguese equiv. to YM Offshore) license, when legally required.

After years of water sports (skiing , wake boarding, windsurfing) some scary storms in month long summer& small winter familly cruises for as long as I can remember, 2 times 2000nm cruises one in sail boat other in power boat, some emergencies ( that today I believe they can most be avoided by planning\maintenence) , a 3 year Eng. course and most of all great experiences with wonderfull people. I love being in the sea!!

I was one of those who would say: "" Licenses ???? for what the pieces of paper, you'll need to go to the water!!! ""

Today I really apreciate that I took the courses !!

Henning said:

""Once you have this ticket, any mistake that you make will no longer be viewed as a simple mistake, it will now carry with it potential criminal penalties. Once you have the ticket, you are held to all the standards of a professional mariner, so it would be wise if you understood what and why the "prudent mariner" thinks before you are held to that standard. As long as you don't have the ticket, you're a lot safer from a liability standpoint. While the employers may like to see you have that ticket, you have to remember to look out for your own self.""

This was beeing my biggest dilema in my progression. What to choose: Being a deckhand in a big boat, or getting a resposible position in a smaller one?

You know what? life chose me, not me !!! As I was chasing some jobs, others were coming to me, I guess thats karma : ), quite like the with the ladies !!